Method of designing semiconductor integrated circuit device and semiconductor integrated circuit device

ABSTRACT

In a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of designing the same, design information about circuit cells each having a desired function are described as objects according to selected purposes. The pieces of design information are registered in a cell library as well information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed cells and substrate potential variable cells. Further, a data sheet common to the substrate potential fixed cell and the substrate potential variable cell is offered to a user, so that the user is able to make a selection according to the user&#39;s purposes. The substrate potential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells are mixed together on a semiconductor chip so as to be properly used according to the functions or the like of circuit portions in which the cells are used.

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/939,699, filed Aug. 28, 2001, which, in turn, is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/131,393, filed Aug. 7, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,340,825), the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

[0002] This invention relates to a method of designing a semiconductorintegrated circuit device, and a technique effective in a case in whicha plurality of circuits different in characteristic from each other areprepared as a cell library and a user selects a desired circuit from thecell library in the course of design of a semiconductor integratedcircuit device. This invention also relates to a technique which iseffective for use in the design of an ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit), for example.

[0003] It has been known that a semiconductor logic integrated circuitdevice principally using field effect transistors like MOSFETs(Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) is capable ofoperating at high speed as the threshold voltage of each MOSFETdecreases; whereas, since a substantial leakage current is producedduring its off state when the threshold voltage thereof is low, the useof a semiconductor logic integrated circuit device will lead to anincrease in power consumption. As a characteristic of each MOSFET, aso-called substrate bias effect is known, wherein the threshold voltagethereof will go high as a reverse bias voltage between the sourcethereof and a base (substrate or well region) increases. Further, atechnique for controlling a standby current has been described inJapanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. Hei 7-235608, forexample.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A technique, wherein an inverter circuit or an inverter INV,capable of switching the potentials of bases (n well and p well) to asource voltage Vcc and a reference voltage Vss, and base or substratebias voltages Vbp (Vbp>Vcc) and Vbn (Vbn>Vcc), as shown in FIGS. 21(A)and 21(B), is used in place of an inverter INV wherein the potentials ofbases (n well and p well) shown in FIGS. 20(A) and 20(E) are fixed to asource voltage Vcc and a reference voltage Vss (Vcc>Vss), respectively,has been described in, for example, “ISSCC Dig. of Tech. Papers”, pp.166-167, 437, February 1996, or IEEE CICC, pp. 53-56, May 1996.

[0005] According to this technique, the source voltages Vcc and Vss areapplied to the bases (n well and p well) when the circuit is inoperation (active), to thereby supply a low reverse bias voltage betweenthe source and substrate or base, whereby each MOSFET is set to a lowthreshold so as to operate the circuit device at high speed. On theother hand, when the circuit is deactivated (at standby), the substratebias voltages Vbp and Vbn are applied to the bases (n well and p well)to, supply a high reverse bias voltage between the source and the base(well), thereby increasing the threshold of each MOSFET to reduce theleakage current, whereby low power consumption is provided. The presentinventors have discussed the semiconductor integrated circuit deviceusing MOSFETs capable of performing switching to the substrate biasvoltages. As a result, it became evident that the following problemswere inherent in such a device.

[0006] When the threshold of each MOSFET is controlled using the abovedescribed substrate bias effect in an attempt to realize an IC havingdesired characteristics, an inconvenience occurs in that wiring or wiresfor supplying the bias voltages to the well regions used as the bases ofthe respective MOSFETs are required in large numbers (Vcc line, Vbp/Vccline, Vss line and Vbn/Vss line) and the area occupied by the circuit,and, in turn, the chip size of the IC, increases.

[0007] The development of an ASIC or the like will call forconsideration of two cases: a first case where a user desires an IChaving low power consumption or reduced chip size even if its operatingspeed is slow; and a second case where the user desires an IC capable ofoperating at high speed even if the power consumption increases more orless. When the reverse bias voltage between the source and base (well)is increased or decreased in an attempt to realize the above-describedICs which are different in characteristic from each other, a maker mustseparately design substrate potential fixed circuit cells and substratepotential variable circuit cells suitable for the respective ICs andprepare them as separate cell libraries. Therefore, the design effortincreases, and the labor, such as the extraction of characteristicsincluding delay times or the like of the circuit cells, required whenthe user designs and evaluates the chip using these circuit cells, thedescription thereof in the specifications (data sheet or data book),etc. also increases, i.e., the burden of preparing respectivespecifications for corresponding cell libraries increases.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a designtechnique capable of implementing ICs which are different in cell typefrom each other without having to increase the burden on the designer.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a designtechnique capable of easily implementing a semiconductor integratedcircuit device in which its chip size, power consumption and operatingspeed are optimized.

[0010] The above, other objects and novel features of this inventionwill become apparent from the description provided by the presentspecification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] A summary of a typical one of the features disclosed in thepresent application will be described as follows:

[0012] Design information about circuit cells each having a desiredfunction are described as objects according to desired purposes and areregistered in a cell library registered with a plurality of circuitcells for forming ASIC or the like as design resources in the form ofcell information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed andvariable cells by only the deletion or addition of information aboutpredetermined objects. Incidentally, the present cell library is storedin a storage medium such as a magnetic disc, an optical disk, a printedmaterial or the like.

[0013] As a typical one of the above-described circuit cells, a cell isknown which comprises a pair consisting of a p channel MOSFET and an nchannel MOSFET constituting a CMOS inverter which falls under thedesignation of a minimum unit in a circuit, for example. Others used asthe circuit cells registered in the cell library may include a basiccircuit cell, such as a flip-flop, a NOR gate, a NAND gate or the like,as frequently used in a logic LSI, a CPU peripheral circuit module, suchas a CPU core used as a control circuit, a random access memory used asa memory circuit, a timer, a serial communication interface circuit orthe like, and a macrocell like an A/D converter, a D/A converter or thelike used as a signal processing circuit.

[0014] According to the above feature, since only one kind of cell maybe designed for circuits having the same function, a maker can reducethe burden on the design and labor, such as the extraction ofcharacteristics such as voltage dependency, temperature dependency,delay times or the like of each designed cell, the description thereofin the specifications, etc., and, in its turn, achieve a reduction incost as well.

[0015] Further, a semiconductor integrated circuit device wherein thechip size, power consumption and operating speed are optimized, caneasily be implemented by properly using substrate potential fixed andvariable cells according to the functions or the like of circuitportions used with cells on one semiconductor chip and mixing themtogether in this condition.

[0016] Typical ones of various features of the present invention havebeen described in brief. However, the various embodiments of the presentinvention and specific configurations of these embodiments will be morefully set forth in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] While the specification concludes with claims particularlypointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which isregarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, theobjects and features of the invention and further objects, features andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one example of the layout pattern acommon cell topology for a CMOS inverter to which the present inventionis applied;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional of a section taken along line II;

[0020]FIG. 3(A) is a plan view of object A;

[0021]FIG. 3(B) is a plan view of a layout pattern depicting an objectB;

[0022]FIG. 3(C) is a plan view of an object CP;

[0023]FIG. 3(D) is a plan view of an object CN;

[0024]FIG. 3(E) is a plan view of an object DWL;

[0025]FIG. 3(F) is a plan view of an object DTH;

[0026]FIG. 3(G) is a plan view of an object E;

[0027]FIG. 3(H) is a plan view of an object F;

[0028]FIG. 3(I) is a plan view of an object G;

[0029]FIG. 3(J) is a plan view of an object H;

[0030] FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are, respectively, plan views showing layoutpatterns of a substrate potential fixed CMOS inverter and a substratepotential variable CMOS inverter, each constructed using a common celltopology for a CMOS inverter;

[0031]FIG. 5(A) is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration of a substrate bias control circuit using substratepotential variable CMOS inverter cells;

[0032]FIG. 5(B) is a plan view showing a layout pattern of substratepotential variable logic cells;

[0033]FIG. 5(C) is a plan view illustrating a layout pattern ofsubstrate potential fixed logic cells;

[0034]FIG. 6(A) is a circuit diagram depicting another example of asubstrate bias control circuit using substrate potential variable CMOSinverter cells;

[0035]FIG. 6(B) is a plan view showing a layout pattern of a substratepotential fixed logic cell row;

[0036]FIG. 7(A) is a plan view of a layout pattern illustrating anotherexample of a common cell topology for a CMOS inverter;

[0037]FIG. 7(B) is a plan view of a layout pattern depicting an objectB′;

[0038]FIG. 8(A) is a plan view showing one example of a memory array towhich the present invention is applied;

[0039]FIG. 8(B) is a plan view of a detail of FIG. 8(A);

[0040]FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a memory mat having memory cellpower supply portions to which the present invention is applied;

[0041]FIG. 10(A) is a plan layout pattern view and FIGS. 10(B) and 10(C)are cross-sectional views showing an embodiment of a common celltopology for a memory cell power supply portion;

[0042]FIG. 11(A) through FIG. 11(D) are respective plan viewsillustrating the layout pattern of an example of each objectconfiguration of a memory cell power supply portion;

[0043]FIG. 12(A) through FIG. 12(C) are respective plan views depictingthe layout pattern of an embodiment of a cell topology of each memorycell;

[0044]FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of a memorycell;

[0045]FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing a procedure for creating alibrary registered with cells;

[0046]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a portion of an inverter cell partprepared in Step ST3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14;

[0047]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of an ASICconfiguration used as one example of a semiconductor integrated circuitdevice constructed using a common cell topology according to the presentinvention;

[0048]FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of anLSI which can be designed using a common cell topology according to thepresent invention;

[0049]FIG. 18(A) to FIG. 18(C) are conceptual diagrams showingmodifications of an LSI to which the present invention is applied;

[0050]FIG. 19(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an LSIhaving a well-separate configuration, which is used as anotherembodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 19(B) and 19(C) arerespective plan views showing an example of each object configuration;

[0051]FIG. 20(A) is a circuit diagram illustrating an equivalent circuitof a substrate potential fixed CMOS inverter;

[0052]FIG. 20(B) is a cross-sectional view depicting a structure of thecircuit shown in FIG. 20(A);

[0053]FIG. 21(A) is a circuit diagram illustrating an equivalent circuitof a substrate potential variable CMOS inverter; and

[0054]FIG. 21(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of thecircuit shown in FIG. 21(A).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafterbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] A description will first be made of how to view common celltopology, using a CMOS (Complementary MOS) inverter cell INV as anillustrative example.

[0057]FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show one example of a common celltopology for a CMOS inverter cell INV comprised of a pair of elementsincluding a p channel MISFET (Metal Insulator Semiconductor FET) Qp andan n channel MISFET Qn. Of these, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of alayout pattern of a circuit cell and FIG. 2 shows an example of asectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

[0058] In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 100 indicates a p-typesingle-crystal silicon substrate used as a base, for example. Referencenumeral 100 i indicates a device or element separator, and referencenumerals 101 and 102 indicate an n well region (101 a, 101 b) and a pwell region (102 a, 102 b) defined as relatively low-density n-type andp-type semiconductor regions provided side by side in contact with eachother, respectively. Reference numerals 103 and 104 respectivelyindicate a Vcc line and a Vss line used as power wired layers, which arerespectively provided along the upper and lower sides of the n wellregion 101 and p well region 102. Reference numerals 105 and 106respectively indicate a VBP line and a VBN1 line used as substratepotential supply wired layers located on the further outer sides of theVcc line 103 and Vss line 104 and arranged in parallel to these wiredlayers. These power supply lines (103 through 106) are made up of ametal (aluminum) layer corresponding to a first layer, for example.Further, the power supply lines (103 through 106) are constructed so asto extend in a cell row direction.

[0059] Reference numeral 107 indicates an active region in which the pchannel MISFET Qp is formed. Reference numeral 108 indicates an activeregion in which the n channel MISFET Qn is formed. The active regions107 and 108 are defined by the device separator 100 i. Referencenumerals 107 a and 107 b respectively indicate relatively low-densityp-type semiconductor regions and relatively high-density p+ typesemiconductor regions provided in the n well region 101 and the activeregion 107. They serve as a source-to-drain region of the p channelMISFET Qp. Reference numerals 108 a and 108 b respectively indicaterelatively low-density n-type semiconductor regions and relativelyhigh-density n+ type semiconductor regions provided in the p well region102 and the active region 108. They serve as a source-to-drain region ofthe n channel MISFET Qn. Reference numeral 109 indicates a gateelectrode comprised of a polysilicon film or the like, which is providedso as to extend in the direction normal to the power supply lines 103and 104 across the p well region 101 and the n well region 102. The gateelectrode 109 is formed integrally with a gate electrode 109 p of the pchannel MISFET Qp and a gate electrode 109 n of the n channel MISFET Qn.

[0060] The gate electrodes 109 n and 109 p are respectively formed onthe well regions 101 and 102 with gate insulating films 109 i interposedtherebeween. Further, a channel forming region of the p channel MISFETQp is formed integrally with the n well region 101, whereas a channelforming region of the n channel MISFET Qn is formed integrally with thep well region 102.

[0061] Further, reference numeral 110 indicates a common drain electrodecomprised of, for example; the metal (aluminum) layer or the likecorresponding to the first layer, which is disposed in the directionorthogonal to the power supply lines 103 and 104 across the n wellregion 101 and the p well region 102. The common drain electrode 110 isdesigned so as to be electrically connected via contact holes CH1 andCH2 to the p-type semiconductor regions 107 a and 107 b and n-typesemiconductor regions 108 a and 108 b respectively used as thesource-to-drain regions at both ends.

[0062] Incidentally, symbols CH3 indicate contact holes for electricallyconnecting the Vcc line 103 to the n well region 101, symbols CH4indicate contact holes for electrically connecting the Vss line 104 tothe well region 102, symbols CH5 indicate contact holes for respectivelyelectrically connecting the VBP line 105 to the n well region 101,symbols CH6 indicate contact holes for respectively electricallyconnecting the VBN line 106 to the p well region 102, symbol CH7indicates a contact hole for electrically connecting the Vcc line 103 tothe p-type semiconductor regions 107 a and 107 b serving as thesource-to-drain region of the p channel MISFET Qp, and symbol CH8indicates a contact hole for electrically connecting the Vss line 104 tothe n-type semiconductor regions 108 a and 108 b serving as thesource-to-drain region of the n channel MISFET Qn. Further, contactregions 111 through 114 comprised of high-density semiconductor regionsfor reducing contact resistance are respectively provided at substratesurface positions corresponding to the contact holes CH3 through CH6 ofthese contact holes, for supplying potentials to the well regions.

[0063] Incidentally, the contact regions 111 and 113 indicate n+ typesemiconductor regions, which are formed in the same process as that forthe semiconductor region 108 b, for example. The contact regions 111through 114 and the active regions 107 and 108 are defined by the deviceseparator 100 i. The device separator 100 i is formed by a structure inwhich an insulating film is embedded in a groove defined in the base100.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, symbol TH1 indicates a through holeused as an input terminal for electrically connecting the gate electrode109 to a metal layer (upper wire or interconnection) 110′ used as afirst layer, which is located above the gate electrode 109 and is madeup of an aluminum layer or the like. Symbol TH2 indicates a through holeused as an output terminal for electrically connecting the drainelectrode 110 to a metal layer (upper interconnection) 110″ used as afirst layer, which is located above the drain electrode 110 and iscomprised of an aluminum layer or the like. CH1 through CH9 and TH1 areformed at the same height.

[0065] In FIG. 2, conductive layers 120 formed over the surfaces of thesource-to-drain regions 107 a and 107 b and 108 a and 108 b and thecontact regions 111 through 114 are formed of a metal silicide layer(CoSi, TiSi or the like) for providing low resistance as well as on thesurface of the polysilicon gate electrode 109. The conductive layers 120and the power supply lines 103 through 106 are respectively spaced awayfrom one another by an interlayer insulating film 121 and arerespectively electrically connected to one another by connecting bodies122 comprised of a conductive material such as tungsten or the likecharged into the contact holes CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4 and CH5 through CH8defined in the interlayer insulating film 121.

[0066] In the present embodiment, design data constituting the CMOSinverter INV is divided into the following objects A, B, CP, CN, DWL,DTH, E, F, G and H. That is, the VBP line 105 and VBN line 106, thecontact holes CH5, CH6, contact regions 113 and 114 for respectivelyconnecting these to the n well region 101 and p well region 102, and then well 101 a and p well 102 a corresponding to parts of the well regions101 and 102 just below or under the VBP line 105 and VBN line 106,respectively, constitute design data. These design data are prepared asone united object A (see FIG. 3(A). Similarly, the contact holes CH3 andCH4 and contact regions 111 and 112 for electrically connecting the Vccline 103 and the Vss line 104 to the n well region 101 and p well region102, and protrusions 103 a and 104 a used for providing contact with theVcc line 103 and the Vss line 104, respectively, constitute design data.These design data are prepared as one united object B (see FIG. 3(B).

[0067] The active region 107, p-type semiconductor regions 107 a and 107b and gate electrode 109 p constitute design data as the p channelMISFET Qp which constitutes the inverter cell. These design data areprepared as one united object CP (see FIG. 3(c). The active region 108,n-type semiconductor regions 108 a and 108 b and gate electrode 109 nmake up design data as the n channel MISFET Qn which constitutes theinverter cell. These design data are prepared as one unified object CN(see FIG. 3(D).

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3(C) through 3(J), other objects are alsosimilarly configured as a unit of design data. That is, there are known,as other objects, an output contact structure (object DTH) comprisingthe drain electrode 110 (object DW) of the metal layer used as the firstlayer, and the through hole TH2 for connecting the drain electrode 110to a wired layer (signal line) defined as an upper layer; an inputcontact structure (object E) comprising the through hole TH1 forconnecting each gate electrode to an upper wired layer (signal line),and a buffer conductive layer BFM; a contact structure (object F)comprising the contact holes CH1, CH2, CH7 and CH8 for connecting theconductive layers such as the power supply lines 103 and 104, the drainelectrode 110, etc. to the diffusion layers 107 a, 107 b, 108 a and 108b, and high-density contact regions 107′ and 108′; and a well structure(object H) for providing a conductive layer pattern (object G)constituting the power supply lines 103 and 104, and the well regions101 b and 102 b.

[0069] Since the contact regions 107′ and 108′ are respectivelysubstantially formed in the same process as that for the p-typesemiconductor regions 107 a and 107 b and the n-type semiconductorregions 108 a and 108 b and formed integrally therewith, theillustration of these in FIG. 2 is omitted for ease in understanding thedrawing. Incidentally, chain lines and two-dot chain lines in theobjects, A, B, F and G shown in FIG. 3(A), FIG. 3(B), FIG. 3(H) and FIG.3(I), respectively, indicate border lines indicative of the outsideshapes of cells and do not indicate the components that constitute therespective objects.

[0070] The design data for the objects A through H are developed ashierarchical data called “plural layers” corresponding to a mask used ina production process. For example, the removal of the object A meansthat information about the layer constituting the object A is removed. Amask used in the production process is created by synthesizing orcombining together the same data (hierarchical data) divided into ordistributed to the objects A through H. For example, the gate electrode109 p of the object CP and the gate electrode 109 n of the object CN areplaced under the same layer (hierarchical data). A mask pattern forforming the polysilicon gate electrode 109 is formed by combining thesehierarchical data together.

[0071] Further, the wiring 110 of the object DWL, the Vcc line 103 andVss line 104 of the object G, and the VBP line 105 and VBN line 106 ofthe object A are the same hierarchical data. A mask pattern for formingthe metal layer corresponding to the first layer is created by combiningthese hierarchical data together. Thus, the design data for forming thesame mask pattern constitutes the same hierarchical data. In regard tothe inverter cell illustrated in the present embodiment, the same layermay be associated with components or elements of different objects otherthan the objects A and B.

[0072] When data obtained by eliminating the design data for the objectA from the cell design data for forming the CMOS inverter cell shown inFIG. 1 are used (i.e., when the design data for the objects B through Hare used), a substrate potential fixed CMOS inverter INV having acircuit configuration shown in FIG. 20(A) is constructed as shown inFIG. 4(A) wherein a Vcc line 103 and a Vss line 104 are electricallyconnected to the n well region 101 and the p well region 102respectively. On the other hand, when data obtained by removing thedesign data for the object B from the design data for forming the CMOSinverter shown in FIG. 1 are used (i.e., when the design data for theobjects A, CN and CP through H are used), a substrate potential variableCMOS inverter INV having a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 21(A) isconstructed as shown FIG. 4(B) wherein a VBP line 105 and a VBN line 106are electrically connected to the n well region 101 and the p wellregion 102 respectively.

[0073] That is, a library for a substrate potential fixed cell or alibrary for a substrate potential variable cell can be formed bypreparing the design data having the objects A through H as a commoncell layout and eliminating the object A or B from the common celllayout. Thus, the term common cell topology refers to a method forforming two cell libraries using one common cell pattern and an approachtherefor or the like.

[0074] That is, one common cell pattern is considered as an aggregate ofobjects. The two cell libraries can be formed from the common cellpattern by adding predetermined objects thereto.

[0075] Even in the case of NOR gate circuits, NAND gate circuits, switchcircuits SW1 and SW2, RAM, etc. similar to the inverter cell, a commonlayout for logic circuit cells respectively comprising the NOR gatecircuits, NAND gate circuits, switch circuits SW1 and SW2, RAM, etc. canbe configured by suitably forming the objects CP, CN, DW, DTW, E, F andH.

[0076] Each cell library can be formed from the common cell pattern as asubstrate potential common cell library in a manner similar to the CMOSinverter cell INV.

[0077] Further, the common, layout pattern for each logic circuit cellincludes objects A and G each having cell heights Ha and Hb similar tothose employed in the common layout pattern for the aforementioned CMOSinverter cell INV. Thus, when the logic circuit cells CELL using thesubstrate potential variable cell library are arranged in a cell rowdirection as shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C), their correspondingpower supply lines (103 through 106) are respectively integrally formedand configured so as to extend in a cell direction.

[0078] That is, the substrate potential common library and the substratepotential variable cell library are created from the common layoutpattern for the logic circuit cells. A desired logic circuit can beconfigured by opening one library thereof and placing and connecting thelogic circuit cells CELL. In this case, the logic circuit cells CELL arearranged so as to adjoin each other in the cell row direction. The powersupply lines (103 through 106) are integrally formed in the celldirection as shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 5(C). Similarly, when thelogic circuit cells CELL are disposed using the substrate potentialfixed cell library in a cell row direction, they are placed adjacent toeach other in the cell row direction and the power supply lines (103 and104) are integrally formed in the cell direction as illustrated in FIGS.5(C) and 5(B).

[0079] When the substrate potential variable CMIS inverter cells CELL orthe like are selected, a substrate bias control circuit BVC forsupplying bias voltages Vbp and Vbn generated from a bias voltagegenerator BVC shown in FIG. 5(A) or power sources Vcc and Vss to eachinverter cell INV, are provided at a given position of a semiconductorchip and are controlled according to control signals stb1 and stb2 so asto apply bias voltages Vbp (=1.8V) and Vbn (0V) so as to set a reversebias voltage developed between the source of MISFET and the substratesmaller than base potentials Vbp (=3.3V) and Vbn (=−1.5V) at standby toeach of the individual well regions through a VBP line 105 and a VBNline 106 upon an active state in place of the base potentials Vbp andVbn as shown in Table 1, for example. As shown in FIG. 6(A), basiccircuit cells CELL are connected to one another in their cell directionsby using wires or interconnections of a metal layer defined as a firstlayer and a metal layer defined as a second layer so as to constitute adesired logic circuit.

[0080] In the aforementioned embodiment, the objects A and B may beprepared as an aggregate of much smaller objects. Similar to theinverter cells referred to above, cells comprised of basic logiccircuits such as NAND gate circuits, NOR gate circuits, etc. aredesigned so as to be capable of constituting either a substratepotential fixed circuit or a substrate potential variable circuit andmay be registered in a library. Alternatively, cells capable ofconstituting both the substrate potential fixed circuit and thesubstrate potential variable circuit may be designed in a memory such asa RAM or the like so as to be registered in a library. Further, designinformation about the bias voltage generator BVG and substrate biascontrol circuit BVC may be registered in cell libraries as singlecircuit cells, respectively. In place of the mounting of the biasvoltage generator BVC on the semiconductor chip, the bias voltages Vbpand Vbn may be supplied from the outside.

[0081] As is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B)or a comparison between FIG. 5(B) and FIG. 5(C), the substrate potentialfixed CMOS inverter cell shown in 4(A) is reduced in cell area by theVBP line 105 and the VBN line 106 as compared with the substratepotential variable CMOS inverter cell shown in FIG. 4(B). Thus, when itis desired to form a circuit that needs a high-speed operation, thesubstrate potential fixed CMOS inverter cell is selected, whereby areduction in chip size preferentially can be achieved.

[0082] That is, when the substrate potential fixed cells CELL each shownin FIG. 4(A) are utilized in combination to form logic as shown in FIG.5(C), regions for the VBP line 105 and the VBN line 106 can be used aswiring regions because the cell height Ha shown in FIG. 4(A) is smallerthan that shown in FIG. 4 (B). It is therefore possible to reduce thechip size and provide high integration and high functioning. That is,since intervals defined between cell rows, which extend in the directionnormal to a cell row direction, can be reduced in FIGS. 5(C) and 6(B), areduction in chip size and high integration can be achieved. Theinterval between the adjacent power supply lines (103 and 104) employedin the cells CELL is the same as that for the substrate potential fixedcell and the substrate potential variable cell.

[0083] The configuration and operation of the substrate bias controlcircuit BVC will next be described using FIG. 5 (A) and Table 1.

[0084] The substrate bias control circuit BVC employed in the presentembodiment comprises a first switch circuit SW1 comprised of a p channelMISFET Qp1 which is provided between the VBP line 105 employed in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 as a substrate potential supply line and thebias voltage generator BVG and which is controlled by a controlsignal/stb1, and an n channel MISFET Qn1 provided between the VBN line106 used as a substrate potential supply line and the bias voltagegenerator BVG and controlled by a control signal stb2, and a secondswitch circuit SW2 comprised of a p channel MISFET Qp2. provided betweenthe Vcc line 103 and the VBP line 105 and controlled by a control signalstb1, and an n channel MISFET Qn2 provided between the Vss line 104 andthe VBN line 106 and controlled by a control signal /stb2.

[0085] The second switch circuit SW2 is provided one by one per apredetermined number of basic circuit cells (inverter cells or NOR orNAND logic circuits (gates)), that is, a plurality of the second switchcircuits SW2 are provided for each cell row CR. The first switch circuitSW1 is provided as a circuit common to the plurality of second switchcircuits SW2. Thus, the MISFETs Qp1 and Qn1 constituting the firstswitch circuit SW1 are designed so as to be greater than the MISFETs Qp2and Qn2 constituting the second switch circuit SW2 in device size. It isdesirable for the pitch of placement of each second switch circuit SW2to be reduced according to the operating frequency of an LSI and wiringresistances of the power supply Vcc and Vss lines 103 and 104 as theoperating frequency increases and a voltage drop becomes great, therebyincreasing the number of the second switch circuits SW2 provided withinone cell row CR. It is thus possible to reduce a variation in substratepotential incident to a circuit operation and prevent the circuit fromoperating due to noise.

[0086] Thus, a desired logic circuit is configured by placing the basiccircuit cells CELL and providing a connection between the basic circuitcells CELL using the wires or interconnections of the metal layers 110′and 110″ corresponding to the first and second layers. Incidentally, thelogic circuit may be configured by placing a plurality of cell rows CRas shown in FIG. 6(A). In this case, the first switch circuit SW1 may beprovided every cell rows CR. Alternatively, one cell row CR may beprovided for the logic circuit as shown in FIG. 6(A). As shown in FIGS.6(A) and 6(B), the intervals defined between the adjacent cell rows CRare used as wiring regions and connections between the cell rows orwithin each cell are made by using the interconnections of the metallayers 110′ and 110″ corresponding to the first and second layers.

[0087] Further, the substrate bias control circuit BVC sets the controlsignals stb1, /stb1, stb2 and /stb2 to Vss (=0V), Vbp (=3.3v), Vbn(=−1.5V) and Vcc (=1.8V) respectively. Thus, the MISFETs Qp1 and Qn1 ofthe switch SW1 are turned off and the MISFETs Qp2 and Qn2 of the switchcircuit SW2 are turned on so that the source voltages Vcc and Vss arerespectively supplied to the VBP and VBN lines 105 and 106 connected totheir corresponding inverter cells INV. Thus, each MISFET of theinverter cell INV undergoes or receives a low reverse bias voltagebetween the source thereof and the substrate to reduce its threshold,whereby it operates at high speed. TABLE 1 Active Standby Power SourceVcc Voltage 1.8 V Vss Voltage 0.0 V Vbp Voltage — 3.3 V Vbn Voltage —−1.5 V Control Stb1 L(0.0) H(3.3) Signal stb1 H(3.3) L(0.0) stb2 L(−1.5)H(1.8) stb2 H(1.8) L(−1.5) controlled Power VBP line Vcc (1.8) Vbp (3.3)VBN line Vss (0.0) Vbn (−1.5)

[0088] On the other hand, the control signal stb1 is set to Vbp (=3.3V),the control signal /stb1 is set to Vss (=0V), the control signal stb2 isset to Vcc (=1.8V) and the control signal /stb2 is set to Vbn (=−1.5V),respectively upon non-operation of the circuit (at standby) as shown inTable 1. Thus, the MISFETs Qp1 and Qn1 of the switch circuit SW areturned on and the MISFETs Qp2 and Qn2 of the switch circuit SW2 areturned off so that the VBP line 105 and the VBN line 106 electricallyconnected to each inverter cell INV are supplied with bias voltages Vbpand Vbn generated from the bias voltage generator BVC. As a result, ahigh reverse bias voltage is applied between the source of each MISFETof the inverter cell INV and the substrate to thereby increase thethreshold of each MISFET, whereby leakage current is reduced.Incidentally, Table 1 shows examples of bias voltages at the time thatthe source voltage Vcc supplied from the outside is 1.8V. If the sourcevoltage Vcc varies, then the bias voltages Vbp (Vbp>Vcc) and Vbn(Vbn<Vss) suitably vary according to such variation. Since the Vbnpotential and the Vbp potential are potentials to be supplied to thewell regions 101 and 102 respectively, less current variation isprovided and the wiring widths of the VBP line 105 and VBN line 106 areformed so as to be thinner than those of the Vcc line 103 and Vss line104 as shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B). Thus, the provision of the VBP line105 and VBN line 106 allows a reduction in the increase in each cellCELL size.

[0089] The aforementioned embodiment has been described for the case inwhich the design data constituting the VBP line 105 and VBN line 106,and the contact holes CH5, CH6 and contact regions 113 and 114 forrespectively connecting these to the n well region 101 and p well region102, and the parts of the well regions 101 and 102 just below or underthe VBP line 105 and VBN line 106 are prepared as one unified object A,and the design data constituting the contact holes CH3 and CH4 andcontact regions 111 and 112 for electrically connecting the Vcc line 103and the Vss line 104 to the n well region 101 and p well region 102, andthe protrusions 103 a and 104 a used for providing contact with the Vccline 103 and the Vss line 104 are prepared as one united object B.However, the two objects A and B are set as one object A′ and designinformation about such patterns FP1 and FP2 as to fill intervals betweena VCC line 103 and a Vss line 104 and between a VBP line 105 and a VBNline 106 with the same conductive layer (corresponding to a metal(aluminum) layer corresponding to a first layer) is prepared as anotherobject B′ (see FIG. 7(B)) as indicated by hatching in FIG. 7(A) asidefrom the object A′. In this condition, either a substrate potentialfixed cell or a substrate potential variable cell may be formedaccording to whether the object B′ for the interval filling should beincluded in the object A′.

[0090] Further, either the substrate potential fixed cell or thesubstrate potential variable cell may be formed depending on whether ina state in which the objects A′ and B′ are prepared as one object A′,the object B′ is eliminated from the object A′ or left as it is.

[0091] However, since any cell takes the same shape (outside shape) insuch a case, the effect of reducing each cell area is not obtained evenwhen the substrate potential fixed cell is selected. As an alternativeto this, however, another effect can be obtained in that each logiccircuit is improved in reliability and performance to stabilize a wellpotential due to a reduction in resistance incident to an increase inthe width of each power supply line, the stabilization of the sourcepotentials and an increase in the number of contacts.

[0092] Further, the aforementioned embodiment has described the casewhere the information about the contact holes CH3 through CH6 forconnecting the Vcc line 103 and Vss line 104 and the VBP line 105 andVBN line 106 to their corresponding well regions 101 and 102 arecontained in the same object as that for the information about theircorresponding power supply lines. However, the information about thecontact holes is omitted from the object including the information aboutthe power supply lines, and substrate contact holes may be defined orproduced in blank areas lying under the respective power supply lines byan automatic layout editor/program. That is, the objects constructive ofthe common layout pattern for the logic circuit cells are notnecessarily limited to the above. It is needless to say that changes canbe made thereto within a scope not changing the substance of the presentinvention.

[0093] A description will next be directed to a common cell topology atthe time that a substrate potential applied to each of the memory cellsconstituting a RAM incorporated in an LSI is fixed or varied. In thepresent embodiment, the memory cells are the same and power supplyportions, relative to well regions in which p channel MISFETs and nchannel MISFETs constituting the memory cells are respectively formed,are formed by a common cell topology.

[0094]FIG. 8(A) shows the configuration of the entire memory array. Inthe memory array illustrated in accordance with the present embodiment,memory mats MATs respectively having 32×n memory cells MC placed inmatrix form are arranged on both sides of an X decoder circuit X-DECwith the X decoder circuit interposed therebetween. Word drivers W-DRVfor respectively driving word lines to select levels are disposedadjacent to the X decoder circuit X-DEC on both sides thereof. Asindicated by the diagonally shaded areas, word shunt areas W-SNT forcoupling two layered word lines at suitable pitches to thereby preventlevel-down are formed between the memory mats extending in a word linedirection (i.e., in a transverse direction in FIG. 8 (A)). Prechargecircuits PC and a column switch row YSW are disposed at one end of thememory mats. Further, sense amplifiers S-AMP and write amplifiers W-AMPfor respectively amplifying signals on data lines are placed adjacent tothe precharge circuits PC and the column switch row YSW.

[0095]FIG. 9 shows one memory mat MAT placed in a state in which wordlines are omitted therefrom. As shown in FIG. 9, n well regions n-WELLand p well regions p-WELL are alternately arranged within the memory matalong a data line direction (i.e., in the longitudinal or verticaldirection as seen in FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, power supplylines VDL and VSL and lines VBP and VBN for respectively supplyingsubstrate potentials Vbp and Vbn are disposed within the word shuntareas W-SNT so as to extend along the direction (i.e., data verticaldirection) normal to the word lines. Circuits equivalent to theaforementioned switch circuits SW2 are respectively placed at both endsof the word shunt areas W-SNT as seen in the data vertical direction.Each word shunt area W-SNT is provided with a power feeding or supplyportion for supplying power to a common well region for the memory cellsextending in the word line direction. The power supply portions areformed by a common cell topology. That is, VBB strapped cells used assuch memory power supply cells as shown in FIG. 8(B) are respectivelyplaced within the word shunt areas W-SNT corresponding to the powersupply portions. The memory power supply cells are constructed by acommon cell topology.

[0096]FIG. 10(A) shows an embodiment of a common cell topology for theVBB strapped cells placed in the power supply portions for the memorycells. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10(A) corresponds to a common celltopology designed by an idea similar to that for the embodiment of FIG.1 indicative of the inverter cell. The VBB strapped cells are equivalentto the memory power supply cells disposed within the word shunt areasW-SNT. In FIG. 10(A), memory cells MC are respectively disposed one byone on both sides of each memory power supply cell.

[0097] In FIG. 10(A), reference numeral 301 indicates a p well regionhaving the same width Wp as that of a p well region p-WELL of eachmemory cell in a memory mat and placed so that the p well region isformed integrally with the p-WELL in a word line direction. Referencenumeral 302 indicates an n well region having the same width Wn as thatfor an n well region n-WELL of each memory cell and placed so as to beformed integrally with the n well regions n-WELL in the word linedirection. Reference numeral 303 indicates a power supply line (Vccline) for supplying a source voltage Vcc, which is placed in thedirection (i.e., in a data line direction corresponding to the verticaldirection as seen in the drawing) intersecting the well regions 301 and302. Reference numeral 304 indicates a power supply line (Vss line) forsupplying a reference voltage Vss, which is placed in the data verticaldirection that intersects the well regions 301 and 302. Referencenumeral 305 indicates a VBP line placed outside the power supply lines303 and 304 in parallel to these and defined as a substrate potentialsupply line for supplying a substrate potential Vbp. Reference numeral306 indicates a VBN line placed outside the power supply lines 303 and304 in parallel to these and defined as a substrate potential supplyline for supplying a substrate potential Vbn. Although the invention isnot restricted in particular, the power supply lines 303 and 304 and thesubstrate potential supply lines 305 and 306 are formed by a metal layercorresponding to a second layer, which is made up of a conductive layersuch as aluminum or the like. Incidentally, a metal layer correspondingto a first layer is used to connect between devices or elements(MISFETs) in each memory cell, as will be described later.

[0098] Referring also to FIG. 10(A), symbols CH3′ and CH4′ respectivelyindicate contact holes for respectively electrically connecting thepower supply lines 303 and 304 to the p well region 301 and the n wellregion 302. Reference numeral 311 indicates a p-type contact regioncomprised of a p+ type semiconductor region for reducing a contactresistance formed in the p well region 301 in association with thecontact hole CH3′. Reference numeral 312 indicates an n-type contactregion comprised of an n+ type semiconductor region for reducing acontact resistance formed in the n well region 302 in association withthe contact hole CH4′. Symbols CH5′ and CH6′ respectively indicatecontact holes for respectively electrically bringing the substratepotential supply lines 305 and 306 into contact with the n well region301 and the p well region 302. Reference numeral 313 indicates a contactregion comprised of a p+ type semiconductor region, which is formed inthe p well region 301 in correspondence with the contact hole CH5′.Reference numeral 314 indicates a contact region comprised of an n+ typesemiconductor region, which is formed in the n well region 302 inassociation with the contact hole CH6′.

[0099] The power supply lines and the substrate potential supply lines(303 through 306) respectively comprised of the upper metal layercorresponding to the second layer are electrically connected through arespective via (contact holes) of CH3″, CH4″, CH5″ and CH6″ respectivelycorresponding to CH3′, CH4′, CH5′ and CH6′. Reference numerals 311 a,312 a, 313 a and 314 a respectively indicate buffer conductive layersformed so as to be taken or drawn out toward the power supply lines andsubstrate potential supply lines 303 through 306 comprised of the metallayer corresponding to the second layer from the semiconductor regions311, 312, 313 and 314. That is, the buffer conductive layers 311 a, 312a, 313 a and 314 a are respectively formed by the metal layercorresponding to the first layer.

[0100]FIG. 10(C) is a cross-sectional view cut off at a position takenalong line C-C′ in FIG. 10(A) and illustrates each power supply line.

[0101] The VBN line 306 is electrically connected to the bufferconductive layer 313 a through the contact hole CH5′. The bufferconductive layer 313 a is electrically connected to the p+ typesemiconductor region 313 through the contact hole CH5′. Similarly, theVss line 304 is electrically connected to the buffer conductive layer311 a through the contact hole CH3″. The buffer conductive layer 311 ais electrically connected to the p+ type semiconductor region 311through the contact hole CH3′. Likewise, the Vcc line 303 is alsoelectrically connected to the n+ type semiconductor region 312 throughthe contact holes CH4′ and CH4″ and the buffer conductive layer 312 a.The VBP line 305 is electrically connected to the n+type semiconductorregion 314 through the contact holes CH6′ and CH6″ and the bufferconductive layer 314 a.

[0102] Further, reference numeral 321 indicates a word line comprised ofa polysilicon layer or the like, which is placed in the direction (i.e.,in the word line direction corresponding to the transverse direction asseen in the drawing) intersecting the power supply lines 303, 304, 305and 306 and which is formed integrally and provided continuously withword lines lying within the memory cells. Reference numeral 322indicates a word shunt line which is disposed above the word line 321with an insulating film interposed therebetween and to which the samevoltage waveform as, that for the word line 321 is applied. Referencenumerals 323 and 324 respectively indicate transverse power supply linesplaced in parallel to the word lines 321 for respectively supplying thesource voltages Vcc and Vss to the memory cells. Although the inventionis not restricted in particular, the word shunt line 322 and the powersupply lines 323 and 324 are comprised of a metal layer corresponding toa third layer, which is made up of a conductive layer such as aluminumor the like.

[0103] Symbol TH11 indicates a through hole for electrically connectingthe Vss line 304 to the transverse Vcc line 323. Symbol TH12 indicates athrough hole for electrically connecting the Vcc line 303 to thetransverse Vss line 324. Symbols TH13, TH14 and TH15 respectivelyindicate through holes for electrically connecting the word shunt line322 to the word line 321. Since it is difficult to bring the word shuntline 322 into direct contact with the word line 321 because the wordshunt line 322 is formed of the metal layer corresponding to the thirdlayer, buffer conductive layers 325 and 325′ comprised of the metallayer corresponding to the first layer are formed between the word shuntline 322 and the word line 321. Thus, the word shunt line 322 iselectrically connected to the word line 321 through the bufferconductive layers 325 and 325′ and the through holes TH13, TH14 andTH15. That is, the word shunt line 322 is electrically connected to thebuffer conductive layer 325′ through the through hole TH15. The bufferconductive layer 325′ is electrically connected to the buffer conductivelayer 325 through the through hole TH14. The buffer conductive layer 325is electrically connected to the word line 321 via the through holeTH13.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the aforementioned contact holes CH3′,CH4′, contact regions 311 and 312, Via regions CH3″ and CH4″, and bufferconductive layers 311 a and 312 a comprised of the metal layercorresponding to the first layer respectively constitute design data asshown in FIG. 11(B). These design data are constructed as one object AM.As shown in FIG. 11(A), the aforementioned contact holes CH5′ and CH6′,Via regions CH5″ and CH6″, contact regions 313 and 314, and bufferconductive layers comprised of the first-layered metal layer areconstructed as another object BM.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 11(C), a p well region 301, an n well region302, a Vcc line 303, a Vss line 304, a VBP line 305 and a VBN line 306respectively constitute design data. These design data are constructedas one united object CM. Either a substrate potential fixed cell or asubstrate potential variable cell is formed by selectively adding one ofthese objects AM and BM to the object CM corresponding to a commonlayout pattern. That is, when the objects AM and CM are selected, thecorresponding power supply portion functions as the substrate potentialfixed cell (memory power supply cell). The Vcc line 303 is electricallyconnected to the n well region n-WELL 302 so that the source voltage Vccis supplied to the n well region n-WELL of each memory cell MC at alltimes. On the other hand, the Vss line 304 is electrically connected tothe p well region p-WELL 301 so that the source voltage Vss is suppliedto the p well region p-WELL 301 of each memory cell MC.

[0106] On the other hand, when the objects BM and CM are selected, thecorresponding power supply portion serves as the substrate potentialvariable cell (memory power supply cell). That is, the VBP line 305 iselectrically connected to the n well region n-WELL 302 and the VBN line306 is electrically connected to the p well region p-WELL 301. Uponoperation, the source voltage Vcc is supplied to the n well regionn-WELL 302 of each memory cell through the VBP line 305 according to theaforementioned switching control signals stb1 and stb2, whereas uponstandby, a bias voltage Vbp like 3.3V is supplied to the n well regionn-WELL 302 through the VBP line 305 according to the switching controlsignals stb1 and stb2. On the other hand, a source voltage Vss (0V) issupplied to the p well region p-WELL 301 through the VBN line 306 uponoperation, whereas a bias voltage Vbn like −1.5V is supplied to the pwell region p-WELL 301 through the VBN line 306 upon standby.

[0107] Owing to the provision of either the substrate potential fixedcells or the substrate potential variable cells within the word shuntregions W-SNT shown in FIG. 8(A) along the data line direction, the Vssline, the VBN line and the VBP line provide electrical connectionsbetween the switches SW2 placed at both ends of each memory mat MAT asseen in the data line direction.

[0108]FIG. 10(B) shows another embodiment of the common cell topologyfor the power supply portions. The present embodiment corresponds to acommon cell topology designed under the same idea as that for theembodiment of FIG. 7 indicative of the inverter cell. Parts designatedby the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10(A) indicate the sameparts respectively.

[0109] In the present embodiment, the two objects BM and CM illustratedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 10(A) are set as one object DM. Further,design information (design data) about patterns FP1′ and FP2′ so as tofill intervals between a VCC line 303 and a Vss line 304 and between aVBP line 305 and a VBN line 306 with the same conductive layer(corresponding to a metal layer corresponding to a second layer, whichis comprised of an aluminum layer) is prepared as another object EM (seeFIG. 11(D)) as indicated by hatching in FIG. 10(B) aside from the objectDM. In this condition, either a substrate potential, fixed power supplycell, or a substrate potential variable power supply cell can be formedaccording to whether the object EM for the interval filling is includedin the object DM. In each cell in which the object EM is added to theobject DM, the VBP line 305 and the VBN line 306 are respectively formedintegrally with the Vcc line 303 and the Vss line 304, and function aslines for supplying the source voltages Vcc and Vss.

[0110] It is needless to say that a further embodiment may connect bothVbp and Vdd, and Vbn and Vss by the same conductive layer (aluminumlayer) outside Vbb switch cells (SW2) lying beyond the memory mats shownin FIGS. 8 and 9 without having to use the patterns FP1′ and FP2′.

[0111] FIGS. 12(A) to 12(C) show examples of a cell topology for eachstatic memory cell (SRAM) that constitutes a RAM (Random Access Memory).FIG. 13 shows a circuit configuration of the memory cell. As shown inFIG. 13, the memory cell illustrated in the present embodiment has sixMISFETs. Of these, Mp1 and Mp2 are P channel MISFETs and constitute aCMOS latch circuit together with N channel MISFETs Mn1 and Mn2.Transmission N channel MISFETs Mt1 and Mt2, whose gate terminals areelectrically connected to a word line WL, are electrically connectedbetween input/output nodes of the latch circuit and data lines DL and/DL.

[0112]FIG. 12(A) shows patterns and layouts for semiconductor regions401(n+), 402(n+), 403(p+) and 404(p+) used as source-to-drain regions ofthe six MISFETs constituting the memory cell, gate electrodes 321; 321′and 321″ each comprised of a polysilicon layer or the like, contactholes CH′, and direct contacts CH′d for respectively electricallyconnecting the gate electrodes 321′ and 321″ and the semiconductorregions 402 and 403. FIG. 12(B) illustrates patterns of connecting wiresor interconnections 431 through 436 comprised of a metal layercorresponding to a first layer, for respectively connecting the sourceand drains of the respective MISFETs and for providing connections topower supply lines and layouts of contact holes CH″. FIG. 12(C) showspatterns for a word shunt line 422, a Vss line 423 and a Vcc line 424comprised of a metal layer (extending in the transverse direction)corresponding to a third layer, and data lines 425 and 426(corresponding DL and /DL shown in FIG. 13) comprised of a metal layer(extending in the longitudinal direction) corresponding to a secondlayer, and layouts of through holes CH″′.

[0113] Reference numerals 431 and 432 in FIG. 12(B) respectivelyindicate buffer conductive layers comprised of the metal layercorresponding to the first layer, for electrically connecting the Vssline 423 comprised of the metal layer corresponding to the third layerto the n-type semiconductor regions 401 and 402 serving as a sourceregion of the N channel MISFETs Mn1 and Mn2. Designated at numerals 441and 442 in FIG. 12(C) are buffer conductive layers comprised of themetal layer corresponding to the second layer, for electricallyconnecting the Vss line 423 comprised of the metal layer correspondingto the third layer to the n− type semiconductor regions 401 and 402which serve as the source regions of the N channel MISFETs Mn1 and Mn2.Reference numerals 437 and 438 in FIG. 12(B) respectively indicatebuffer conductive layers comprised of the metal layer corresponding tothe first layer, for respectively electrically connecting the data lines425DL and 426DL comprised of the metal layer corresponding to the secondlayer to the n-type semiconductor regions 401 and 402 which serve assource regions of N channel MISFETs Mt1 and Mt2.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 12(B) and 12(C), the Vcc line 424 iselectrically connected to p-type semiconductor regions defined as sourceregions of the P channel MISFETs Mp1 and Mp2 through buffer conductivefilms 427 and 428 each comprised of a metal layer corresponding to asecond layer and the buffer conductive layers 435 and 436 comprised of ametal layer corresponding to a first layer. Incidentally, thethird-layered metal layer and the second-layered metal layer areelectrically connected to each other via the through holes CH″, thesecond-layered metal layer and the first-layered metal layer areelectrically connected to each other via the contact holes CH″, and thefirst-layered metal layer and the semiconductor regions are electricallyconnected to each other through the contact holes CH′.

[0115] The word line 321 shown in FIG. 12(A) is designed so as to beformed integrally with the word line 321 shown in FIG. 10(A) and theword shunt line 422, Vss line 423 and Vcc line 424 shown in FIG. 12(C)are designed so as to be formed integrally with the word shunt line 322,Vss line 323 and Vcc line 324 shown in FIG. 10(A), respectively.

[0116] A procedure for creating a library registered with informationabout a plurality of cells including the inverter cells and memory powersupply cells illustrated in the aforementioned embodiment will bedescribed next in brief with reference to FIG. 14.

[0117] Upon creation of the library, a design guideline as to what kindof LSI should be offered, to which extent the source voltage should beset, etc. is first determined (Step S1). What kinds of cells should beprepared as cells constructive of an LSI, such as inverter cells, cellsfor logic gates such as NAND gates, memory cells constituting a RAM orthe like, is next determined and the specifications of the respectivecells are determined (Step S2).

[0118] Components or parts that make up each cell, such as MOSFETs,resistors, capacitors, contacts, through holes, etc. are next prepared.Further, the parts that constitute each cell to be designed, areselected, and a net list indicative of the relationships in connectionbetween these parts and the positions or the like to provide thecontacts and through holes are determined (Step S3). At this time, forexample, the parts used for the same purpose are collected so as to formeach object and the correspondence between the respective parts orrespective elements of the object and each mask employed in a layer,i.e., a process is determined.

[0119]FIG. 15 shows some of parts related to an inverter cell as typicalexamples of the parts prepared in Step S3. In FIG. 15, P1 indicates acircuit constituent element part (MISFET) comprised of a combination ofa semiconductor region used as an active region source/drain and apolysilicon layer corresponding to a gate electrode. P2 indicates a partfor connecting between conductive layers, which is made up of acombination of conductive layers and through holes. P3 indicates a partfor connecting between a substrate and each conductive layer, which isformed by a combination of a diffused layer and a contact hole. The cellshown in FIG. 1 is formed by selecting and placing these parts.

[0120] Consecutively, the parts and object that constitute each cell arelaid out based on the net list to create or form a cell pattern (StepS4). The present invention is intended to create the corresponding cellas a common cell topology so that it can be used in both a substratepotential fixed circuit and a substrate potential variable circuit uponcreation of the cell pattern as described above.

[0121] Next, pieces of information (design data) about the respectivecells designed are registered in a cell library (Step S5). At this time,both the substrate potential fixed circuit cell and the substratepotential variable circuit cell formed from the common cell topology areregistered in the cell library as information.

[0122] Characteristics such as voltage dependency, temperaturedependency and delay times of the respective cells are extracted fromthe cell information designed in Step S5 referred to above (Step S6).Specifications descriptive of the feature of each cell, which arereferred to as a “data sheet or databook” open to a user, are created orformed based on the extracted characteristics (Step S7).

[0123] A CAE library for logic simulation, which is offered to the userbased on the cell information designed′ in Steps S5 and S6, is formed(Step S8). It is desirable that ones described in languages, which arerespectively executable by a plurality of logic simulation tools such asSynopsys Verilog, Mentor, etc., are formed and registered in the CAElibrary for logic simulation. The cell data registered in Step S5 isoffered to the user as a library moved on a Place & Route tool likeAquarius, a cell assembly, for example. The library of these logics andlayouts is offered to the user as a design kit (Step S9).

[0124] According to the present invention, since the substrate potentialfixed circuit and the substrate potential variable circuit aretop-designed as the common cell topology, labor such as the extractionof the characteristics of each of the individual cells, the creation ofa document such as specifications, etc. is also reduced.

[0125]FIG. 16 shows an example of a configuration of a customicrocomputer illustrated as one example of an ASIC configured using acommon cell topology according to the present invention.

[0126] In FIG. 16, reference numeral 10 indicates a CPU used as acontrol circuit, reference numeral 11 indicates a random access memoryused as a memory circuit, reference numeral 12 indicates a CPUperipheral circuit module such as a timer, a serial communicationinterface circuit or the like, reference numeral 13 indicates a customlogic circuit unit which constitutes logics designed by users usingbasic circuits like inverters, flip-flops, NOR gates and NAND gates, andreference numeral 14 indicates an input/output circuit. In the presentembodiment, the custom logic circuit unit 13 and the input/outputcircuit 14 are formed using circuit cells registered in a cell libraryas the aforementioned common cells. Substrate bias voltages Vbp and Vbnand switching control signals stb1 and stb2 are externally suppliedthrough external terminals T1 and T2.

[0127] Incidentally, the custom logic circuit unit 13 shown in FIG. 16comprises a portion made up of substrate potential fixed cells and aportion made up of substrate potential variable cells, which aredesignated at numerals 13 a and 13 b respectively. The portion 13 a isconfigured as shown in FIGS. 5(C) and 6(B) and cannot provide less powerconsumption. However, the portion 13 a operates at high speed, and isbrought into high integration and has a reduced area. On the other hand,the portion 13 b is configured as shown in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B) and 6(A) andis increased more or less in area. However, the portion 13 b can operateat high speed when active and achieve less power consumption at standby.By forming the less power consumption-free portion 13 a using thesubstrate potential fixed cells and forming the portion 13 b requiringless power consumption using the substrate potential variable cells inthis way, the chip size can be reduced and both high-speed operation andless power consumption can be achieved.

[0128] In the aforementioned embodiment, MISFETs used as constituentelements of the custom logic circuit unit 13 comprising the substratepotential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells mayhave gate insulating films which are thin so as to form lowwithstand-voltage and high-speed operating devices. On the other hand,MISFETs used as devices that constitute the input/output circuit 14, mayhave thick gate insulating films so as to be created as high-thresholdand high withstand-voltage devices. In this case, it is necessary toseparately register information about circuit cells having insulatingfilms different from each other in thickness in a library. However,since a cell pattern can be made identical to that for the circuit cellsused to constitute the custom logic circuit unit, the design load is notincreased very much.

[0129]FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of an LSI comprising a circuitcomprised of high-withstand MISFETs each having a thick gate insulatingfilm and a circuit comprised of low-withstand MISFETs each having a thingate insulating film and wherein substrate potential fixed and variablecircuits according to the present invention can be designed using acommon cell topology.

[0130] In FIG. 17, reference numeral 200 indicates a high-voltagecircuit region formed by the high-withstand MISFETs each having a thickgate insulating film. Reference numeral 300 indicates a low-voltagecircuit region formed by the low-withstand MISFET each having a thingate insulating film. In the high-voltage circuit region 200, aninput/output buffer I/O for performing the input and output of a signalfrom and to an external device, a phase-locked loop circuit PLL, areal-time control circuit RTC, a clock pulse generator CPG and a switchcircuit SW1 for performing selection of a substrate voltage to eachsubstrate potential variable circuit to supply it thereto, etc. areformed. Further, the high-voltage circuit region 200 is configured so asto be supplied with a relatively high voltage like 3.3V as the sourcevoltage, whereas the low-voltage circuit region 300 is configured so asto be supplied with a relatively low voltage like 1.8V as the sourcevoltage.

[0131] The input/output buffer I/O of the circuits on the high-voltagecircuit region 200 is made up of high withstand MISFETs each having athick gate insulating film to allow the formation of a signal having alevel necessary for interface with the external device. Further, theinput/output buffer I/O is activated under the source voltage like 3.3Vand is configured so as to have a level converting function forconverting a signal having an amplitude of 3.3V to a signal having anamplitude of 1.8V suitable for a memory, a user logic circuit, etc. inthe low-voltage circuit region.

[0132] It is necessary to increase the circuit operating margin from theviewpoint of a circuit function, the phase locked loop circuit PLL,real-time control circuit RTC and clock pulse generator CPG are formedwithin the high-voltage circuit region 200 as circuits activated by thesource voltage like 3.3V. Further, the switch circuit SW1 is formed inthe high-voltage circuit region 200 from the need for the formation ofthe switch circuit SW1 by high-withstand MOSFETs because each of thegates thereof is supplied with voltages ranging from −0.8V to 3.3V ascontrol voltages.

[0133] In the low-voltage circuit region 300, a random access memoryRAM, a read only memory ROM and logic gate circuits LGC1, LGC2, LGC3 andLGC4 used as user logic circuits are formed. A cell library is preparedso that these circuits can be formed as both the substrate potentialvariable and fixed circuits. Only either one of the circuits can beconfigured and they may be provided in a mixed form. When they areformed as substrate potential variable circuits, switch circuits SW2used for substrate-potential switching are respectively providedadjacent to the respective circuits. These circuits are operated at asource voltage of 1.8V to provide less power consumption and performhigh-speed operation. Correspondingly, these circuits are made up oflow-withstand MISFETs each having a thin gate insulating film.

[0134] Although the above embodiment has described for the case in whichthe input/output buffer I/O has an interface having the amplitude of3.3V, the desire for LSI activated by source voltages of 2.5V and 1.8Vas the external device (LSI) is expected to increase. Therefore, aninput/output buffer cell having a level converting function forconverting an input signal having an amplitude of 2.5V into a signalhaving an amplitude of 1.8V and supplying it to an internal circuit orconverting an internal signal having an amplitude of 1.8V to a signalhaving an amplitude of 2.5V and outputting it therefrom, or aninput/output buffer cell for supplying an input signal having anamplitude of 1.8V to an internal circuit while remaining as it is at theamplitude of 1.8V, is prepared separately from the 3.3V-systeminput/output buffer cell illustrated in connection with theaforementioned embodiment, as the input/output buffer I/O. In thiscondition, a user may select it freely to design a desiredvoltage-system LSI or a plurality of the input/output buffer cells maybe mixed together to design an LSI capable of corresponding tointerfaces for plural amplitudes. As those other than the LVCMOSinput/output buffer and LVTTL input/output buffer generally used in the3.3V-system LSI illustrated in the above embodiment, high-speedtransmission input/output buffer cells such as GTL, HSTL, PCI, etc. mayfurther be prepared so that a user can suitably select them. It isneedless to say that the source voltage decreases in the order of 1.5V,1.2V and 0.9V.

[0135] The LSI illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 and 17are constructed so as to be inputted or supplied with substrate biasvoltages Vbp and Vbn and control signals stb1 and stb2 from the outsideof LSI. However, a substrate potential generator BVG may be providedwithin an LSI chip as shown in FIG. 18(A) in place of the supply ofthese voltages and signals from the outside. Further, an LSI or the likein which a microprocessor is provided on the same chip, may beconfigured so that substrate-potential switching control signals stb1and stb2 are also formed by an internal circuit.

[0136] Although the aforementioned embodiment has been described for thecase in which the partial circuits (user logic circuits) inside the LSI,such as the user logic circuit, the memory, etc. are formed by substratepotential variable circuits, respectively, a plurality of circuit blockssuch as a CPU, a memory and a peripheral circuit lying in the LSI may beformed by the substrate potential variable circuits respectively. Inthis case, a common switch circuit SW1 may be configured so as to supplysubstrate potentials Vbp and Vbn and a switching control signal stb to aplurality of circuit blocks as shown in FIG. 18(B). Even in this case, asubstrate potential generator BVG may be provided within an LSI chip asshown in FIG. 18(C).

[0137] A description will be made next of a device structure capable ofimplementing the partial circuits in the LSI when they are respectivelyformed by the substrate potential variable circuits as shown in FIG.18(A). When the partial circuits in the LSI are respectively formed bythe substrate potential variable circuits, the potential of a wellregion used as a base or substrate of each substrate potential variablecircuit is switched upon operation and standby. Thus, when the substratepotential fixed circuit is formed within the same well region as that inwhich the substrate potential variable circuit is formed, the substratepotential will vary undesirably. In this case, no trouble or harm occursin an LSI activated by a single source or power supply on the whole andwhose chip entirety is brought into a standby mode. However, when thecircuits activated by different source voltages are provided within theLSI and they are respectively formed by substrate potential fixed andvariable circuits as shown in FIG. 17, the substrate potential fixedcircuit that does not desire a variation in substrate potential, willlead to an undesirable result when the well region is commonly used.

[0138] Thus, in the LSI in which substrate potential fixed and variablecircuits are provided in a mixed form, those circuits are formed ondifferent buried or embedded well regions 131 and 132 (NiSO) as shown inFIG. 19(A), so as to achieve the separation of well potentials. Then-type buried well regions 131 and 132 can be formed by deeplyion-implanting an impurity like phosphorus into a substrate under energyhigher than that used at the formation of the normal n well region 101and p well region 102. However, the impurity densities of the buriedwell regions 131 and 132 may be the same level (e.g., 1×10¹³/cm3) asthose of the normal n well region 101 and p well region 102.

[0139] Since a p-type semiconductor substrate is used in the embodimentshown in FIG. 19(A), the conduction types of the buried well regions 131and 132 are set to n types. For example, 1.8V (3.3V in a high-voltagecircuit region) is applied to the p-MIS type n well region 101 on theburied well region 131 thereof in which the substrate potential fixedcircuit is formed, whereas 0V is applied to the n-MIS p well region 102.On the other hand, the p-MIS type n well region 101 on the buried wellregion 132 with the substrate potential variable circuit formed thereinis supplied with Vbp (1.8V or 3.3V) upon both operation and standby,whereas Vbn (0V or −1.5V) is applied to the n-MIS type p well region 102upon both operation and standby. Even upon operation and standby, 3.3Vand −1.5V are respectively applied to an n well region and a p wellregion in which MOSFETs Qp1 and Qn1 that constitute a switch circuitSW1, are formed.

[0140] The separation of the well regions in the above-described mannermakes it possible to cut off noise transferred via each well from theinput/output buffer I/O or PLL circuit operated at the high sourcevoltage to the substrate potential variable circuit (user logic circuit)operated at the low source voltage. Therefore, the embodiment shown inFIG. 19 is designed in such a manner that the further separation of thewell regions between the circuits operated at the same source voltagelike 3.3V makes it possible to cut off noise transferred from, forexample, the input/output buffer I/O to the PLL circuit to therebyprevent the circuits from malfunctioning.

[0141] Incidentally, the buried well regions NiSO are added to theobject H shown in FIG. 3(j) by way of example to create, or form anobject H′ shown in FIG. 19(B) as design data, and in this condition theycan be introduced or incorporated in a common layout pattern by usingthe object H′ in place of the object H. Incidentally, it is needless tosay that the buried well regions NiSO are added to the object shown inFIG. 11(C) to create an object CM′ shown in FIG. 19(C) and in thiscondition they may be incorporated in a common layout pattern using theobject CM′.

[0142] It should be noted that when the design method according to thepresent invention is applied to the LSI in which the substrate potentialfixed and variable circuits are mixed together, it is necessary to addinformation about the buried well regions to the common cell topologyfor each substrate potential variable circuit and register buried wellregions existing cells and free cells in libraries respectively.

[0143] In the present embodiment, as has been described above, thedesign information about the circuit cells each having a desiredfunction are described according to the purposes and are registered inthe cell library with the plurality of circuit cells for forming ASIC orthe like as cell information capable of forming both substrate potentialfixed and variable cells by only the deletion or addition of informationabout the predetermined objects. Therefore, makers can bring about anadvantageous effect in that since only one kind of cell need be designedfor the circuits having the same function, the load on the design andlabor such as the extraction of characteristics such as delay times orthe like of each designed circuit cell, the description thereof in thespecifications, etc. are reduced and, in turn, the cost can be lowered.

[0144] Further, an advantageous effect can be brought about in that asemiconductor integrated circuit device wherein its chip size, powerconsumption and operating speed are optimized, can easily be implementedby properly using substrate potential fixed and variable cells accordingto the functions of the circuits used on one semiconductor chip andmixing them together in this condition.

[0145] Even when it becomes evident that upon design using the circuitcells registered in the cell library, a standby current needs to belimited to a predetermined value or less after the completion of logicsimulation or reaches an estimated value or more according to the logicsimulation, a designer can easily cope with it by replacing a substratepotential fixed cell with a substrate potential variable cell.

[0146] Although the invention made by the present inventors has beendescribed specifically by reference to illustrated embodiments, thepresent invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It isneedless to say that many changes can be made thereto within a scope notdeparting the substance of the invention. In the common cell topologyillustrated in the embodiments, for example, whether either of substratepotential fixed and variable cells should be formed, may be designateddepending on the selection of whether or not contact holes should bedefined while design information about contact regions for a substrateremains held or included in cell information. In such a case, however, alayer descriptive of data for masking the contact holes for thesubstrate is specially defined and the presence or absence of the use ofthe data for the layer allows for the selection of the substratepotential fixed and variable cells.

[0147] The above-described embodiment has allowed the selection of thesubstrate potential fixed and variable cells by deleting thepredetermined object from the common cell topology or adding it.However, the substrate potential variable cell shown in FIG. 4(B) may beformed by using the substrate potential fixed cell shown in FIG. 4(A) asthe common cell and adding the VBP and VBN lines used as the substratepotential supply lines to this cell by using a script language. Further,the aforementioned embodiment has been described for the case in whichthe invention is applied to a CMOS inverter cell. However, the inventioncan be applied to other circuit cells, such as a flip-flop circuit cell.

[0148] Further, the aforementioned embodiment has been described for thecase in which the invention is applied to an LSI wherein a high reversebias voltage is applied between the source and substrate upon standby toincrease the threshold of each MOSFET so as to reduce the leakagecurrent, whereby low power consumption is provided. However, theembodiment can be realized even as an LSI capable of performing atesting wherein a substrate bias voltage is supplied from the outsideonly upon testing to measure leakage current, whereby the LSI throughwhich a current of a predetermined value or more flows, can be detected.

[0149] The above description relates to the case in which the invention,which has been made by the present inventors, is applied to an ASICequivalent to an application field relating to its background. However,this invention is not necessarily limited in this way and can be widelyused in a gate array or other semiconductor integrated circuit devices.

[0150] Effects obtained by a typical one of the inventions disclosed inthe present application will be described in brief as follows:

[0151] That is, since only one kind of circuit cell need be designed-forcircuits having the same function upon design of a semiconductorintegrated circuit device, the load on its design and labor such as theextraction of characteristics such as delay times or the like of eachdesigned circuit cell, the description thereof in specifications, etc.are reduced and a lowering of the cost is achieved. Further asemiconductor integrated circuit device wherein its chip size, powerconsumption and operating speed are optimized, can be implemented byproperly using substrate potential fixed and variable cells according tothe functions or the like of circuit portions in which circuit cells areused on one semiconductor chip and are mixed together.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of designing a semiconductor integratedcircuit device, comprising the steps of: defining information about thedesign of circuit cells each having a desired function as objectsaccording to purposes; forming common cell information by a pluralityobjects; and forming a substrate potential fixed cell and a substratepotential variable cell by adding or deleting predetermined objects toor from the common cell information.
 2. A method according to claim 1,wherein said common cell information includes design data about powersupply wiring and said predetermined objects include design data aboutsubstrate potential supply wiring.
 3. A method according to claim 1,wherein said common cell information includes design data about powersupply wiring and substrate potential supply wiring, and saidpredetermined objects include design data about a wiring pattern forconnecting the power supply wiring and the substrate potential supplywiring.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said common cellinformation includes design data about power supply wiring and substratepotential supply wiring in a well region, and said predetermined objectsinclude an object having contact holes for electrically connecting thepower supply wiring and the well region and an object having contactholes for electrically connecting the substrate potential supply wiringand the well region, said objects being formed separately from eachother.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said common cellinformation includes design data about well regions, and said powersupply wiring or said substrate potential supply wiring is electricallyconnected to said each well region.
 6. A semiconductor integratedcircuit device comprising: substrate potential fixed cells; substratepotential variable cells; and a substrate bias control circuit forselectively supplying predetermined bias voltages to said substratepotential variable cells, said substrate potential fixed cells, saidsubstrate potential variable cells and said substrate bias controlcircuit being placed on a semiconductor chip.
 7. A semiconductorintegrated circuit device according to claim 6, further comprising asubstrate potential generator for generating the bias voltagesselectively supplied to said substrate potential variable cells.
 8. Asemiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6, whereinsignals for controlling said substrate bias control circuit are inputtedfrom the outside.
 9. A semiconductor integrated circuit device accordingto claim 6, wherein said substrate bias control circuit includes asecond switch circuit, which is provided every a predetermined number ofsubstrate potential variable cells and provided in plural form in onecell row.
 10. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according toclaim 9, wherein said substrate bias control circuit further includes afirst switch circuit, which is provided as a circuit common to aplurality of second switch circuits and serves as a switch used when thebias voltages generated from said bias potential generator are suppliedto the substrate potential variable cells.
 11. A semiconductorintegrated circuit device according to claim 6, wherein the height ofsaid each substrate potential fixed cell is lower than that of said eachsubstrate potential variable cell.
 12. A semiconductor integratedcircuit device according to claim 6, wherein said substrate potentialfixed cells and said substrate potential variable cells include powersupply wiring, and the interval between said power supply wiring in saideach cell is identical to those between said substrate potential fixedcells and said substrate potential variable cells.
 13. A semiconductorintegrated circuit device comprising: substrate potential fixed cells;and substrate potential variable cells, said substrate potential fixedcells and said substrate potential variable cells being formed on asemiconductor chip, and wherein said each substrate potential fixed cellis lower than said each substrate potential variable cell in height. 14.A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 13, whereinsaid substrate potential fixed cells and said substrate potentialvariable cells include power supply wiring, and the interval betweensaid power supply wiring in said each cell is identical to those betweensaid substrate potential fixed cells and said substrate potentialvariable cells.
 15. A method of designing a semiconductor integratedcircuit device, comprising the steps of: defining design informationabout circuit cells each having a desired function as objects accordingto purposes; registering the circuit-cell design information in a celllibrary as design resources together with other cell information in theform of cell information capable of forming any of substrate potentialfixed cells and substrate potential variable cells by the deletion oraddition of information about predetermined objects; and selectingdesired circuit cell information from said cell library.
 16. A methodaccording to claim 15, further including the step of: registering insaid cell library, cell information including, design information aboutwell regions in which a p channel field effect transistor and an nchannel field effect transistor are formed; design information aboutsource-to-drain regions of the p channel field effect transistor and then channel field effect transistor; design information about gateelectrodes of the p channel field effect transistor and the n channelfield effect transistor; design information about power supply wiredlayers and substrate potential supply wired layers; and designinformation about through holes for respectively connecting upper wiringto the source-to-drain regions; said cell information describing atleast the design information about the power supply wired layers and thedesign information about the substrate potential supply wired layers asseparate objects.
 17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said cellinformation has design information about contact holes for connectingpower supply wired layers to their corresponding well regions and designinformation about contact holes for connecting substrate potentialsupply wired layers to their corresponding well region, and wherein saiddesign information about the contact holes for connecting the powersupply wired layers to their corresponding well regions is described insaid cell information as the same object as that for the designinformation about said power supply wired layers, and said designinformation about the contact holes for connecting the substratepotential supply wired layers to their corresponding well regions isdescribed in said cell information as the same object as that for thedesign information about said substrate potential supply wired layers.18. A method according to claim 16, wherein design information aboutburied well regions formed below the well regions of said p channelfield effect transistor and said n channel field effect transistor isincluded in the inverter cell information.
 19. A method according toclaim 15, wherein cell information about memory cell power supplyportions, which includes design information about a well regioncorresponding to a well region for each memory cell, design informationabout power supply wired layers and substrate potential supply wiredlayers for respectively supplying source voltages and substratepotentials to the well regions, and design information about contactholes for respectively connecting the power supply wired layers and thesubstrate potential supply wired layers to the well regions, and whichdescribes at least the design information about the contact holes forthe power supply wired layers and the design information about thecontact holes for the substrate potential supply wired layers asseparate objects, is registered in said cell library.
 20. A storagemedium comprising: a cell library stored therein, said cell librarybeing registered with design information about a plurality of circuitcells, and said cell library being registered with cell information asone cell information, said cell information including, designinformation about well regions for a p channel field effect transistorand an n channel field effect transistor; design information aboutsource-to-drain regions for the p channel field effect transistor andthe n channel field effect transistor; design information about gateelectrodes of the p channel field effect transistor and the n channelfield effect transistor; design information about power supply wiredlayers and substrate potential supply wired layers; and designinformation about through holes for connecting upper wiring to saidsource-to-drain regions, and wherein at least the design informationabout the power supply wired layers and the design information about thesubstrate potential supply wired layers are described as separateobjects.
 21. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according toclaim 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein said each substrate potential fixed cellis substantially identical to said each substrate potential variablecell in height, and the power supply wiring of said each substratepotential fixed cell is thicker than the power supply wiring of saideach substrate potential variable cell in width.
 22. A semiconductorintegrated circuit device comprising: substrate potential fixed cells;and substrate potential variable cells, said both cells being formed ona semiconductor chip, and wherein said each substrate potential fixedcell is substantially identical in height to said each substratepotential variable cell, and power supply wiring for said each substratepotential fixed cell is thicker in width than power supply wiring forsaid each substrate potential variable cell.